My name is Reuven White, and I have a deep passion for science, film, and discovering the unknown. I currently hold a Bachelor's of Liberal Arts and Sciences from Canada's Quest University and am in the process of receiving a second undergraduate degree in Earth and Space Exploration/Astrobiology and Biogeosciences from Arizona State Unniversity's School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE)
My focus is on Astrobiology, specifically extremophiles and the adaptations that allow them to survive conditions that we consider extremely inhospitable, and how and why we should be attempting to understand every facet of them as a part of our attempt to find alien life.
Currently, I am working with the Ocean Futures Lab at ASU in order to identify sustainable ways to aid coral reefs in surviving the continual destruction wrought upon the seas bay climate change
WHO AM I?
The goal of this experiment is to demonstrate the desolate environment of the planet Mars, and its effects on living organisms. I chose the microscopic organism known as the Tardigrade to present the reasons why Mars is not currently fit for human life, as it is known for its extreme survival adaptations in the most hostile of conditions. I attempt to recreate the essential facets of the Martian surface, including the mineral composition, UV radiation, atmospheric consistency, and pressure, according to research acquired by NASA and other space agencies. Labeled Box M, this Martian box was contrasted to our control Tardigrades in a chamber resembling the environment of Earth, labeled Box E. At the end of five consecutive days in each environment, we conduct an assessment of the survival rate of the tardigrades to see if the combination of Martian factors affects the survival capabilities of those in Box M compared to Box E, respectively.
